PREP HOME SCHOOLING GUIDELINES AND CONTRACT 2015 16 In his 1994 Letter to Families, Pope John Paul II writes: Parents are the first and most important educators of their children. When parents present their children to be baptized, Catholic parents are reminded that they have the responsibility to train their children in the practice of their faith. We expect that all children in our Parish Religious Education Program, including all homeschooled children, attend Mass weekly and on Holy Days of Obligation. The following is an agreement between St. Basil the Great Parish Religious Education Program and parents/guardians of children participating in the Home School Instruction. TO BE FILLED OUT FOR EACH FAMILY (please use additional sheets if necessary): Student/s: PREP Level/s: Parent Email Reason for Home Schooling: 1. The family, child/ren, or designated legal guardian must be a registered member of St. Basil the Great Parish. 2. Members of St. Basil the Great Parish are part of a community of worshipers because we believe in the Mystical Body of Christ. As such, the children and their parents/guardians are required to participate in the communal devotions that are scheduled for families in the Parish Religious Education Program. 3. I understand that I will receive the appropriate curriculum materials needed to effectively home school my child/ren. The materials provided are the same texts, supporting documents, and online resources that are in use within the Parish Religious Education Program and will be grade specific for each student. 4. I agree to have my child complete the chapter reviews and send the results to the Director of Religious Education on a weekly basis. (Attachment Home School Assessment Instructions) 5. Prayers appropriate for each grade level will be memorized as designated in the Archdiocese Religion Guidelines. You may obtain these guidelines at www.archphila.org/catechetical/resources/resources.htm 1
6. I agree to complete my child s appropriate grade level (as discussed and determined by parent/guardian and the Director of Religious Education). I understand that if I have any questions regarding the curriculum materials, the requirements for the receipt of any sacraments, or any other matter involving the Parish Religious Education Program, it is my responsibility to contact the Director of Religious Education to discuss these issues and resolve them. 7. If this is a sacramental preparation year for my child (2 nd grade and 7 th grade), I understand that it is my responsibility to obtain the dates and times for all parent meetings, practices and retreats. 8. It is the parent s responsibility to bring the child/ren on site when the Pastor or another priest is present for confessions. 9. I agree to attend all appropriate sacramental meetings. (2 nd grade First Penance, 2 nd grade First Communion, and 7 th grade Confirmation). 10. I agree have my child attend all appropriate practices and retreats relating to the preparation required for reception of sacraments. 11. I understand that my child will be evaluated (written test or oral review) with a mid year assessment and final assessment (grades 2 6, 1 st grade final assessment only). Parents are responsible for scheduling the time and date of these assessments at a mutually convenient time with the Director of Religious Education. Mid year assessments should be scheduled no later than mid January. Final assessments should be scheduled no later than the end of April. 12. I understand that if a student who is preparing for the reception of a sacrament has not demonstrated a reasonable level of understanding regarding the curriculum and the sacrament, the Pastor may, after careful and thoughtful reflection after consulting with the Director of Religious Education, defer the student s reception of the sacrament. 13. I understand that if, after careful and thoughtful reflection, it is determined that a student has not successfully attained a reasonable level of understanding regarding the curriculum that he/she is studying, the Director of Religious Education may recommend that the religious educational needs of the student may be better served in the formal Parish Religious Education program at the grade level specified by the Director of Religious Education at the then current program enrollment fee. 14. As part of St. Basil the Great s Parish Religious Education Program, parents are required to review the Safe Environment Lesson Plan (grade appropriate) with your child/ren and return the required form by the date listed. (Attachment Safe Environment Form) www.archphila.org/catechetical/resources/resources.htm 2
15. I understand that student tuition for home schooling is 50% of the published rates per family. Additional sacramental fees are $20.00 for 2 nd grade and 7 th grade. The tuition amount covers the homeschooling guide, workbook and administrative costs (secretarial costs, copying costs, office overhead, Director of Religious Education monitoring student s progress and record keeping). Home School tuition fees are due by September 1, 2015. 16. I understand that my failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement may, after thoughtful and careful reflection by the Director of Religious Education in consultation with the Pastor, result in my child s expulsion from this homeschooling program and enrollment in the formal Parish Religious Education program at the grade level specified by the Director of Religious Education at the then current program enrollment fee. Please sign both the office copy and the parent copy. Parent/Guardian Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Name (printed): DRE Signature Date Office Copy Parent Copy For Office Use Family Name: School Year: Fee: Date Check #: Cash $ Fee: Date Check #: Cash $ Office use only: Chapter Reviews completed Mid year Assessment Final Assessment This student has successfully completed the grade religion curriculum. Reviewed and approved June 2015 3
Attachment (Home School Assessment Instructions) As your child finishes each chapter please send the Chapter Review results to the Director of Religious Education. The process is as follows: For PREP Levels 1 6 go to: http://www.loyolapress.com/finding god 2013 childrenresources.htm?class_id=621&parent_class_id= Please select the appropriate grade level and have your child complete the Interactive Session Review online. The unit reviews Fishers of Faith are not required but students are welcome to do these if they like. Include dre@stbasils.org to receive the online assessment results. Please do this weekly. Any questions please do not hesitate to contact the DRE at (610) 935 1261 or dre@stbasils.org All Sacrament year students must come in for a short interview with the DRE to attest to readiness to receive. We at St. Basil the Great Parish agree with Pope John Paul II statement that the parents are always the first and foremost educators of their children. We look forward to helping you in any way that we can. 4
Attachment (Safe Environment Form) Dear Parent/Guardian, In the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, Article 12 calls for all dioceses to establish safe environment programs at all grade levels, both in the Parish Religious Education Program and Parish Elementary School. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides a Safe Environment lesson for Parish Religious Education Program catechists and mandates that this lesson be taught during one session of the instructional year. The Safe Environment lessons are intended to supplement the conversations that you are having with your children about their personal safety. We recommend that home schooling parents review the Safe Environment lessons with their child/ren at home. Please call the DRE with any questions or concerns. Please review the grade appropriate lesson plan and return this form to the DRE by October 31, 2015. www.archphila.org/catechetical/resources/resources.htm. This form can be returned to the rectory, dropped off Sunday mornings during PREP or mailed to the address listed below: St. Basil the Great Parish Attn: Director of Religious Education 2330 Kimberton Road P.O. Box 858 Kimberton PA 19442 Sincerely, Reverend Gary T. Pacitti, Pastor AS PART OF THE PREP HOME SCHOOLING GUIDELINES FOR ST. BASIL THE GREAT PARISH I HAVE REVIEWED THE SAFE ENVIRONMENT LESSON WITH MY CHILD/REN. Parent/Guardian Signature Date Instruction for the school year 2015 16 to be completed in November 2015. 5